Miss Marian Anderson was the first African American, to perform at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City on January 7, 1955. Miss Leontyne Price on January 27, 1961 she made an historic debut in at the Metropolitan Opera the final ovation lasted at least 35 minutes, one of the longest in Met history.
The first black woman or man to sing with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City was Marian Anderson. She did this on January 7, 1955.
According to Wikipedia: "Marian Anderson made history...as the first African-American to sing on the Met stage. Robert McFerrin followed with his Met debut in the same month, January 1955. Thus, Robert McFerrin became the first black man to sing at the Metropolitan Opera. "Rarely stated in the great publicity surrounding Marian Anderson's accomplishment is the fact that McFerrin was already engaged to make his debut when Anderson received her contract."
Jessye Norman sang a solo called Tannhauser by Wagner. Jessye did this at her operatic debut at the Deutsche Opera Berlin.
Currently, about 20 Black American women are recognized throughout the world as being among the finest classical singers of the day. Not only are well-established superstars such as Grace Bumbry and Shirley Verrett still maintaining limited recital schedules, but they are joined in the classical realm by a corps of young talents who have burst upon the scene with a combination of poise, presence and unique voices. This new generation of stars is transforming the once monochromatic opera world into a brilliant mosaic. Their engaging and invigorating performances are breathing new life into the music, imbuing it with what some have described as a "rich, velvety sound that is indescribably warm."Among the greats are internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Jessye Norman. Hers may be one of the most immediately recognizable names among the growing legion of successors to Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price, but she has many contemporaries who are executing the big roles, filling the big theaters, and rightfully laying claim to the title "diva."Besides Norman, the members of this impressive sorority include Harolyn Blackwell, Kathleen Battle, Barbara Hendricks, Leona Mitchell, Wilhelminia Fernandez, Marvis Martin, Clamma Dale, Isola Jones, Carmen Balthrop, Cynthia Clarey, Gwendolyn Bradley, Florence Quivar and Roberta Alexander.Second answerAmong the ladies we must not forget soprano Adele Addison. There also have been and are men, among them: William Warfield, Roland Hayes, William Marshall, Simon Estes, George Shirley, Seth McCoy, Donnie Ray Albert, Willard White, Vinson Cole, Arthur Thompson, and Robert McFerrin Sr. (Bobby's father).
Contralto opera singer, Marion Anderson, was the first black woman to sing the national anthem publicly. She performed the anthem at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, in 1939.
Leontyne Price finally sang Aida at the Met in 1961, after perfecting the role for years in various opera houses, especially in Europe. Read more, below.
Leontyne Price is a soprano lirico-spinto, who became one of the first African-Americans to sing leading roles in opera. She formally retired from the stage in 1985, but continued to appear in concerts for another twelve years.
opera.
Leontyne never sing Manon on stage- Only record the two arias
Marian Anderson was the first African-American sing for the Metropolitan Opera [1955] and also the first to be named a permanent member of Metropolitan Opera Company.
Leontyne Price
The first black woman or man to sing with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City was Marian Anderson. She did this on January 7, 1955.
Marian Anderson.
Elizabeth walker
It was Marian Anderson.
Marian Anderson when she sang the part of Ulrica in Verdi's Un ballo in maschera during 1955. She was also the first African-American to be named a permanent member of Metropolitan Opera Company.
Baritone Robert McFerrin Sr. (March 19, 1921 - November 24, 2006) was the first African-American male to sing at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.